Telephone system.



O. BRISBOIS.

TELEPHONE SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED JIJNE I2, 1916.

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TELEPHONE SYSTEM.

APPLICATION man JUNE I2. 1915.

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TELEPHONE SYSTEM.

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TELEPHONE SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE I2. 1916.

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TELEPHONE SYSTEM.

APPLICAT|0N F|LED JUNE 12. I916.

Patented Apr. 3, 1917.

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Witnesses: Inventor:

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ODILON BRISBOIS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO JOHN H. WARE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

TELEPHONE SYSTEM.

Application filed June 12, 1916.

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, @DILON BRISBOIS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Telephone Systems, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a telephone system of that class in which a prepay or coin box is used, and to the instruments used in conjunction with such system.

This invention has particular reference to prepay telephone systems of the Bell or manual type.

In systems of this character the central exchange is controlled by an operator to whom the calling station, by a signal (as by lighting a lamp), gives notice that a connection is desired to be made.

The word station as used by me includes the telephone instrument itself, the coin box and the immediately adjacent and interrelated connections.

One of the main objects of the present invention is to so interrelate and interconnect the above named mechanisms that it will be impossible for a calling party to effectively operate the signaling circuit of his station, for the purpose of lighting a lamp or giving any other signal at the central station to secure the attention of the operator and make known the fact that a connection is desired, without first making a deposit of a coin in the coin chute of his coin box.

Another object of the present invention is to so inter-relate and interconnect the difierent instruments and mechanisms of each station as to render it unnecessary for the operator at the central station to do any act or thing concerning the disposal of the coin which is deposited at the calling station, other than to make and break the several circuits required to connect a calling with a called station; that is, to make the disposal of the coin which has been deposited in the chute of the coin box automatic in character and determined by the co-acting operations of the party depositing the coin and the cen tral operator.

Another obj ect of the present invention is to so interrelate and interconnect the different instruments and mechanisms of each station that before the central operator has answered the signal the party at the calling station can not recover the coin which has Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 3, 1917.

Serial No. 103,135.

been deposited and after said operator has answered said signal and made the connections necessary to obtain a called party, said party at the calling station can not obtain a return of said coin without calling upon the central operator to disconnect said calling station.

A further object is to so interrelate and interconnect the different instruments and mechanisms of each station that when' a conversation is carried on with a called party the circuits over which said conversation is maintained will not include as elements thereof any of the elements or mechanisms entering into the coin controlling devices.

Additional objects will appear from the detail description of the invention and of the features of construction and arrangements of parts and circuits which are shown and described in the specification and claims.

In the drawings,

Figure 1, shows a vertical section of a telephone'stand, and a side elevation of a transmitter, a receiver, a receiver hook, and an automatic switch controlled by the position of the receiver hook.

Fig. 2, is a vertical section of a coin box, showing a side elevation of certain constructions forming elements in a system embodying this invention.

Fig. 8, is a vertical section of the coin box which is illustrated in Fig. 2, viewed at an angle of 90 degrees from said Fig. 2, showing some of the elements which are illustrated in Fig. 2, in front elevation.

Fig. 4C, is a horizontal section on line l4: of Fig. 3, viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Fig. 5, is a rear elevation of a polar relay and a float bar, forming elements in the con struction embodying the invention: also showing the armature of said relay and aperture plate on which, (in said aperture), said armature is pivotally mounted.

Fig. 6, shows, in enlarged detail, a side elevation of a float bar and contact leaves mounted thereon forming switches, an edge elevation of one end of contact leaves forming an additional switch, and a vertical section of a portion of partitions of the coin box which form a chute, the several contact leaves standing in their normal position, with the switches formed thereby open.

Fig. 7, illustrates the several parts which invention, and certain of the elements at a central station which cooperate therewith, all said parts being in position with the telephone receiver oif its hook, with a coin in the chute of the coin box, (as illustrated in Fig. 7) and with a signal showing at central station.

Fig. 10, is a like diagram of the parts illustrated in Fig. 9, with said receiver off its hook, with the central operator plugged in, said signal cut out, said coin on the float bar, (as illustrated in Fig. 8) and the several contact leaves which are mounted on said float bar forced down by the weight of said coin to close the switches formed thereby.

Fig. 11, is a like diagram of the' parts illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10, with the telephone receiver returned to its hook, closing the switch. controlled thereby, with the central operator plugged in, said signal cut out, and said coin on the float bar, as illustrated in Fig. 10.

When the several parts and circuits are in condition as illustrated in Fig. 10, the removal of the plug at the central station by the operator will close an energizing circuit which will move the float bar to discharge the coin thereon from the coin box at the calling station; that is, will return said coin tothe calling party; and when the several parts and circuits are in the position which is illustrated in Fig. 11, the removal of said plug will close an energizing circuit which will move said float bar to'deposit said coin in the safe of said coin box.

A reference letter applied to designate a given part indicates said part throughout the several figures of the drawing wherever the same appears.

X represents a wall of a pay station box or shell, which is attachable to base X (Figs. 2, 3 and a). X X represent partitions which are attached to base X and between which are the coin chute Y and branches 3 y. X represents a bracket which is secured to the base X, and on said bracket the electromagnet coils and float bar hereinafter described are mounted. X

7 represents the heel iron of said electromagtherein and an aperture corresponding in contour with the outline of armature O. X represent screws in the horizontal arm of bracket X*, on which screws plate X is adjustably mounted, being held in an adjusted position by nuts X. Z represents a tray in front of the box into which said branch y is adapted to discharge a coin. Z represents a safe in box X into which the branch y of the coin chute is adapted to discharge a coin. The word coin as used in this specification includes a token or other lne allic currency.

A, Fig. 1, represents a telephone standard, and a the base thereof. B represents a transmitter on standard A; C a receiver; D a receiver hook; d the pivot on which receiver hook D turns; E a vertically 1novable post; 0 insulating material at the lower end of post E; and F a switch consisting of the contact points f and f separated from each other and from the base a by the insulating material 6. G represents a switch consist ing of the contact points g, g which are mounted on flexible leaves separated from each other and from partition X of the box X, by insulating material (see Fig. 2). ll represents a switch which comprises the Contact point It on a flexible leaf which is mounted on the float bar I and contact point h which is mounted on said float bar. .T represents a switch comprising the contact points j, j, which are respectively secured on flexible leaves which are attached to the float bar I. K represents an aperture in partition K through which the upper end of bar or abutment I on float bar I extends, into the chute Y, to form a coin arrester.

The contact leaf above the float bar I, and secured thereon, is mechanically connected with the upper one of the contact leaves of switch J, (secured to the under side of said float bar), by means of the plug or post M, which is made of insulating mate rial.

The float bar I is secured to the armature of magnets N, N and said armature is pivotally mounted by means of the pivots 2', plate X, screws or bolts X and nuts X herein before described, on bracket X, and said armature is moved from its neutral and normal position when one or both of the electromagnet-s N, N, are energized, carrying therewith said float bar.

0, Figs. 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8, represents the armature to the electromagnets N, N. P, P, P represent line terminals. 7), (see diagrams 9, 10, 11) represents an electric conductor attached to terminal. P and electrically connecting said terminal to ground P. p and p are line wires attached to terminals P P respectively and extending to a central station where, as illustrated in the drawings, they are attached to jack springs Q, Q-

So much of a central station equipment which I consider necessarily forms a part of the instrumentalities required in the cm- )O(l.ll1'1(il1t of this invention, is illustrated by diagrams in Figs. 9, 10, 11. These parts are well known in the art and are in common use, and as they, per 86, form no part of the invention they are not illustrated other than by said diagrams.

In said central station equipment, Q, Q, re )rcscnt jack springs. 9, represents a conductor which is attached to a terminal with which jack Q is in electrical contact when plug R is not inserted in the jack. The conductor Q is represented as connected to the coil 9 of an electromagnetfrom which electric conductor 9 extends to the battery g and by conductor Q to ground 9 represents the armature to the electromagnet of coil Q2, and 9 represents a conductor which is in electrical connection with ground 9, and armature g". Q8 represents a terminal which is in electrical connection, by means of armature with conductor Q7 when coil Q2 is energized and said armature is thereby drawn into the position which is illustrated by full lines in Fig. 9. g", represents an electric conductor which is in electric connection with terminal and with signal lamp Q Q represents an electric conductor attached to signal Q and iattery Q and Q represents a conductor from battery Q to ground Q. R represents a ring forming an electric conductor. R represents an electric conductor connecting ring R with ground R 1", 0", 1, represent electric conductors contained in a flexible cord and respectively attached to the several insulated divisions r W, and 1", of plug R. Said conductors are in electric contact at the other ends thereof in like manner with a duplicate plug B. When the plug R is inserted in ring R, and springs Q, Q, the part 1' is in electrical connection with spring Q, part r is in electrical connection with spring Q and part 7 is in electrical connection with ring B. After the central operator has inserted plug R as last above recited and obtained from the calling station the necessary information, the above named duplicate of plug R is properly inserted to obtain a party desired.

S represents a conductor which is in electrical connection at one end with terminal P, and at the other end with the transmitter B. S represents a conductor in electrical connection at its ends with transmitter B and receiver C, and S represents a conductor which is in electric connection at its ends with one pole of transmitter C and with terminal P T represents a conductor which connects terminal P and the leaf of switch F on which the contact point 7 is mounted, T a conductor which connects the leaf of said switch on which contact 7 is mounted with the leaf of the switch J on circuit in addition to lighting the which the contact point is mounted, and T a conductor which connects contact j with the coil of electromagnet N. T reprcsents a conductor which is in electric connection with coils N and N and also with conductor T t represents a conductor which is in electric connection at one end with coil N and at the other end with the leaf of switch H on which the contact point it is mounted, and 25 represents a conductor from said last named leaf to leaf of switch G, (forming at times a continuation of conductor t), (as in diagram Fig. 9). 6 represents a conductor in electric connection at its ends with leaf 9 of said switch G and with terminal P. It represents a conductor which is in electric connection at one of its ends with one end of coil N and at its other end with the terminal P.

U, Fig. 4, represent springs yieldingly holding float bar I in its normal and neutral position (adapted to receive a coin thereon). V represents a coin.

TV hen a coin is deposited in chute Y, during its passage down said chute, it comes into engagement with the leaf of switch G on which the contact point 9 is secured (see Figs. 2, 6, 7, and 8) andmoves said leaf to force said contact point into electrical engageinent with contact point 9 of said switch. The sub-station circuit which is shown by heavy lines in Fig. 9, is thereby closed, at the substation, and when plug it is not inserted in the ack the circuit (which I will designate as the calling circuit) and which includes the substation circuit last above named, is closed. This calling circuit comprises (starting from ground P at the substation), the conductor p to terminal P, from thence conductor L" to switch G, through contact points 9, g, oi said switch G to conductor t thence on conductor t to coil N, through said coil, thence on conductor t to coil N thence on conductor 25 to terminal 1 thence on conductor p to jack spring Q, at the central station, thence on conductor 9 to and through coil Q2 to battery Q3 and from thence to ground 9 The closing of the above traced circuit, which is energized by said battery Q3 moves armatures g to close the central station local signaling circuit which comprises ground conductor battery Q conductor Q}, and ground Q The signal lamp Q is thereby lighted to attract the attention of the central operator.

The energizing of the above traced calling lamp f in the manner above stated, to attract the attention of the central operator, moves the float bar I, (by the energizing of coils N, N,) so that the abutment 1 moves in chute Y into the pathway of the coin V, and said coin is thereby arrested. substantially in the position in which it is illustrated in Figs. 7

7 and 9, and remains in said arrested position until the operator inserts plug R between jacks Q, Q. It is thus beyond the control of either the party at the calling station or the central operator until after said plug is inserted between said jack springs. \Vhen the central operator inserts said plug R between said jack springs, said springs are moved away from the contact points or terminals of conductors q, q, and said calling circuit is thereby broken. Thereupon the coils N, N, cease to be energized and float bar I is returned to its normal or neutral position, as by springs U. On the return of the float bar to its normal position the abutment 1 moves from coin V and said coin thereupon resumes its travel, in chute Y and is delivered onto the flexible leaf on the upper side of said float bar I, by its weight closing switches H and J. When the coin has been delivered as last above set forth, it requires the conjoint action of the party at the calling station and the central operator to discharge said coin therefrom in a determined direction. This discharge is eflected by the central operator withdrawing the plug R from the jack, and the one of the branch chutes y y into which it is discharged is determined by the party at the calling station. That is, if the party at the calling station returns his receiver C to hook D the coin is discharged into chute y and safe Z. If, however, plug R is removed from between springs Q, Q, before receiver C is returned to hook P, the coin is discharged into branch chute y and from thence into tray Z. The circuit which is closed and energized to return the coin to the party at the calling station is shown in diagram in Fig. 10, and comprises the following elements; starting from ground P at the calling station, thence on conductor p to terminal P, thence on conductor t to switch H through said switch to conductor t, thence to and through coil N, thence, on conductor T to and through coil N, thence through said coil to conductor i thence to terminal P, thence on conductor 2) to spring Q, thence on conductor 9, through coil 9 to and through battery Q3, and to ground Q5. 7

It will be observed that the coils N, and N, on the closing of this last traced circuit are energized the same as in the energizing of the calling circuit and the float bar I is moved in the same direction as in the energizing of said coils by the closing of said calling circuit; but as the coin has passed the abutment I and is on the leaf above said float bar I, said repetition of the movement of said float bar moves it out from under said coin so that the same is discharged into the branch chute y and from thence, is delivered into the tray Z. This circuit I call the return circuit as the coin is returned to the calling party by the closing and energizing thereof.

When the receiver C is returned to its hook D the contact points f, f, are brought into electrical contact, closing switch F. The sub-station circuit which is marked in heavy lines in Fig. 11, is thereby made and when plug It at the central station is removed from between springs Q, Q, it is energized. This sub-station circuit comprises starting from ground P conductor 7), terminal P, conductor T. Switch F, conductor T, switch J, conductors T and T", coil N, conductor i terminal P; and it forms a part of a circuit which I call the collecting circuit. Said collecting circuit comprises also conductor p, jack spring Q, conductor q, coil Q2, battery and to ground 9*.

Energizing of the coil of electromagnet N moves the float bar I so that the coin thereon is discharged into branch chute y and from thence is delivered into the safe Z of the coin box.

It will be observed that coil 9 at the central station is energized in the closing of the calling circuit, the returning circuit and the collecting circuit as said circuits are above traced, and thereby the signal circuit at the central station is closed and energized each time, and the central operator is thereby advised, by the lighting of the central lamp Q of the closing and operation of said circuits.

I claim 1. A telephone system comprising a central station and sub-stations, metallic conductors between said central station and said sub-stations, a signal, a battery, and an electric conductor at said central station arranged to form elements of electric circuits having additional elements at the respective sub-stations, said circuits normally closed at the central station and normally open at said sub-stations, means at the central. station to open said circuit, coin boxes at substations, a float bar, a coin arrester and a coin chute in each of said boxes, means to yieldingly hold said float bar and said coin arrester in neutral positions, said float bar adapted to obstruct and said arrester adapted not to obstruct the movement of a coin when in said neutral positions: said additional elements at the sub-station comprising a polarized relay and coin actuated means to close said circuit; whereby, on the deposit of a coin in the chute of a box at a determined sub-station, the circuit between said sub-station and said central station is closed, and said signal and polarized relay are energized, to indicate said closing and to move said coin arrester to obstruct a coin and prevent its delivery to the float bar and on the operating of said circuit opening means at the central station said circuit is opened and said coin arrester is released from. its moved position to return to its neutral position, and said coin is discharged from said arrester and obstructed by said float bar.

2. A telephone system comprising sub-stations and a central station, coin boxes at said sub-stations, and a battery, a signal, a switch and means to open said switch at said central station, coin chutes, polarized relays, and float is 's, in said ba es, coin arresters and coin controlled switches to said chutes, and electric conductors arranged to connect said substations to said central station and form circuits in which said battery, signal, switches and polarized relays are elements, said switch at said central station being normally closed and said switches at said sub-stations being normally open, said substation switches arranged to be closed by a coin in. the chute related thereto to close the circuit from the sub-station where said coin is deposited to said central station, means to yieldingly hold said float bars and arresters in a neutral position, said float bars adapted to obstruct movement of a coin when in said neutral position, and said relay arranged to move said arresters from-said neutral position when said circuits are closed, to ob struct the movement of a coin to said float bars.

3. A telephone system comprising a central station and sub-stations, metallic conductors between said central station and the respective sub-stations, a signal, a battery, a battery conductor, means to ground said conductor, and means to disconnect said ground at said central station, said signal, battery and conductor arranged to form elements in circuits extending to said sub-stations and there having additional elements therein, comprising a polarized relay and coin controlled means to ground said circuits, coin boxes at saicsub-station, coin chutes, float bars, and coin arresting means connected to said float bars, said float bars adapted, when in neutral. positions, to obstruct coins, and to be moved from said neutral positions by said relays, and said coin arresting means being arranged so that movement of the con nected float bar in a determined direction from its neutral. position moves said coin arresting means to obstruct a coin: whereby the deposit of a coin in a chute at a given sub-station closes the circuit between said station and said central station to energize the polarized relay therein, and arrest said coin and also to energize said signal at said central station, and on the opening of said circuit by disconnecting said ground at said central station, said float bar and coin arresting means return to a neutral position and permit the passage of said coin to said float bar.

4:. A telephone system comprising a central station and sub-stations, a signal at said central station and means adapted to make and to break an electric circuit at all of said stations, said central station connected to said sub stations by electric conductors forming elements in circuits of which said signal and said means to make and to break said circuits are elements, the said circuit being normally closed at said central station and normally open at said sub stations, means to energize said circuits, coin boxes at said sub-stations, a coin chute, a float bar, a polarized relay and means to arrest a coin before said coin is in contact with said float bar in each of said coin boxes, means to yieldingly hold said arresting means in a neutral position when said circuits are open, said relays arranged to move said arresting means from said neutral position on said. circuits being closed and said means to make and to break said circuits at the sub-stations being arranged to be actuated by a coin in said chutes to close said circuits.

5. In a. telephone system, the combination of talking and listening instrumentalities, signaling mechanism, a prepay box, a coin chute, an electric switch actuable by a coin in said chute, a float arm and a polarized relay in the prepay box, means to arrest a coin connected to said float arm, electric switches on said float arm, interconnections between said first named switch and between the switches on said float arm, respectively, and the signaling mechanism and said polarized relay arranged to cut out said signaling mechanism until a coin successively closes said switches and thereby successively arrests a coin and releases it to said float arm.

6. In a telephone system, the combination of talking and listening instrumentalities, a signal and signaling mechanism operable by a current on a determined circuit, interconnections between said talking and listen ing instrumentalities and said signaling mechanism to break said circuit when said talking and listening instrumentalities are in operable position, and to close said break when said talking and listening instrumentalities are separated from said operable position, a prepay box, a chute and a float arm in said prepay box, a polarized relay for actuating the float arm to throw the same either into a position for returning a coin or into a position for collecting a coin, movable contacts, operable by a coin deposited in said chute, and additional movable contacts operable by a. coin obstructed by said float arm, interconnections between said first named contacts and the signaling mechanism arranged to render the latter ineffective to deliver a current to said signaling mechanism and polarized relay until a coin is deposited in said chute and between said additional contacts to render said determined circuit inefl'ective to deliver a current to said ipola rized' relay until a coin is obstructed by said float arm, said interconnections with the switches on said float arm arranged to determine the direction of delivery of the coin when released from being 0bstructed by the float arm by the position of said *listening instrumentalities.

7. A telephone system comprising a central station and sub-stations, metal-lie conductors between said central station and said sub-stations, interconnections between said float Ebar and' talki ng and listening instrumentalitiesiat said stations, a signal at said central station, a. battery and a conductor, and means whereby when said conductor is grounded said battery forms the energizing element in a circuit, having :additional elements'at a sub-station, means at said-central station to open said circuit, said sub-stations respectively provided with a coin chute, means to arrest a coin and a float bar, said arresting means and said chute adapted to successively deliver a coin to :said float bar, a polarized relay comprised n sald addi- .tional elements and arranged toactuate said arresting aneans, "means to ground said above named circuit 'by a coin deposited in said chute, to arrest said coin before the same is delivered to said float bar, means to yield- ,ingly maintain said float bar in a neutral position when saidcircuit is open, to obstruct said arrested coin on the delivery thereof thereto, and interconnections between said float bar and said talking and listening instrumentalities to determine the direction of discharge of said coin obstructed by said float bar when said polarized relay is energized.

8. In a prepay box provided with a coin chute, the combination of a float arm, pivoted to swing about an axis, said float arm provided with an abutment movable into the path of a coin deposited in said chute, a polarized relay, an armature for the same, a connection between the armature and a float arm, whereby the float arm and abutment are deflected according to the movement of the armature, leaf contacts mounted adjacent to said chute, and adapted to be actuated to close said contacts by a coin deposited in said chute, and a plurality of leaf contacts mounted on said float arm, a coin seat on one of said leaf contacts, and a mechanical connection between two of said leaf contacts whereby they are forced to move in unison.

ODILON BRISBOIS. Witnesses:

CHARLES TURNER BROWN, HELYN MULDOWNEY.

Copies. of this patent may be obtained for five-cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

